Over the course of a week in Berlin, participants of InterExchange Academy explored what connects them, why listening to one another matters, and the role young people can play in shaping society.

“We see ourselves reflected in others. We discover who we are through dialogue and empathy.” These words were shared during the final reflection session of InterExchange Academy. After a week of working together, engaging in discussions, and exploring German institutions, one participant expressed an idea that captured the essence of the project: we come to understand ourselves through our interactions with others.

From October 23 to 30, Klitschko Foundation, together with DFB-Stiftung Egidius Braun, organised the international educational project InterExchange Academy in Berlin. The project brought together 16 Ukrainian and 16 German teenagers, creating a space for intercultural dialogue, exchanging experiences, and learning together.

32 Voices That Matter

Participants arrived with different backgrounds and life experiences. For Ukrainian teenagers, the full-scale war is part of their everyday reality. Their German peers are growing up in different social circumstances. These differences provided an important context for discussions about democracy, responsibility, civic engagement, and the future of Europe.

The InterExchange Academy program focused on politics, media, technology, culture, education, and the role of sport in society.

Participants visited the German Bundestag, explored how European institutions operate at Erlebnis Europa, examined the connections between history and the present, and met with representatives of media, educational, and sports organisations.

In particular, the teenagers had the opportunity to speak with journalist Paul Ronzheimer, visit the media company Axel Springer and the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG), and learn more about the work of Hertha BSC football club.

Each of these encounters offered a different perspective on how society functions. Throughout the programme, however, one question remained central: how can individuals influence the decisions that shape their present and future?

Different Perspectives, Shared Goals

One of the central ideas of InterExchange Academy was the value of dialogue.

In a democratic society, people do not have to agree on everything. They may hold different beliefs, interpret events differently, and propose different solutions. Yet the ability to discuss disagreements, articulate one’s position, and respect others creates the foundation for cooperation.

Participants reflected on this idea during the final session: despite differences in opinion, a strong future can only be built through collective effort.

The project gave teenagers an opportunity to develop skills that are difficult to acquire through theoretical learning alone: engaging in discussions, asking questions, critically evaluating information, working in international teams, and finding common solutions.

Voices That Must Be Heard

“There are voices we must never forget — our own.”

This statement, shared by one of the participants, highlights an important principle: young people must have a meaningful role in conversations about the society in which they will live.

For Klitschko Foundation, this principle lies at the heart of its educational projects. The Foundation invests in the generation that will rebuild and shape Ukraine by creating opportunities for young people to gain knowledge, practical skills, and international experience.

InterExchange Academy is one such platform. Throughout the week, participants gained new insights, met professionals from different fields, discussed societal challenges, and explored their own role in addressing them.

The impact of this experience cannot be fully measured by the number of meetings, institutions visited, or certificates received.

Its long-term significance will depend on how participants apply what they have learned, maintain the connections they have built, and turn their ideas into action.

Meaningful change begins with recognising the value of one’s own voice, taking responsibility, and understanding the power of working together. And young people can already be part of that change today.